Justice News

Corpus Christi Man Convicted of Kidnapping Child

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 20-year-old local man has admitted he kidnapped a six-year-old girl from her Corpus Christi home and intended to take her to Arizona, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Austin Carlin, of Corpus Christi, abducted the young child from her residence in the early morning hours of Feb. 22, 2015. Carlin stole a vehicle and drove out of Corpus Christi with the child. The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) immediately disseminated an Amber Alert in pursuit of Carlin and the child. As part of the alert, a Child Abduction Response Team was deployed with the assistance of FBI.

State troopers pulled Carlin over as he drove on Interstate 10 approximately 350 miles west of San Antonio. He was arrested and authorities were able to successfully recover the child and return her to her family. Carlin admitted that his destination was Arizona.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos accepted the guilty plea today and set sentencing for Sept. 22, 2016. At that time, Carlin faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Carlin has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing hearing.

The charges are the result of the investigative efforts of the FBI, CCPD and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez and Brittany Jensen are prosecuting the case.